High pressure wafer processing systems and related methods

ABSTRACT

A high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, and a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/470,057, filed on Mar. 10, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to wafer processing systems and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Micro-electronic circuits and other micro-scale devices are generally manufactured from a substrate or wafer, such as a silicon or other semiconductor material wafer. Multiple metal layers are applied onto the substrate to form micro-electronic or other micro-scale components or to provide electrical interconnects. These metal layers, e.g., copper, are plated onto the substrate, and form the components and interconnects in a sequence of photolithographic, plating, etching, polishing or other steps.

To achieve desired material properties, the substrate is typically put through an annealing process in which the substrate is quickly heated, usually to about 200-500° C. and more typically to about 300-400° C. The substrate may be held at these temperatures for a relatively short time, e.g., 60-300 seconds. The substrate is then rapidly cooled, with the entire process usually taking only a few minutes. Annealing may be used to change the material properties of the layers on the substrate. It may also be used to activate dopants, drive dopants between films on the substrate, change film-to-film or film-to-substrate interfaces, densify deposited films, or to repair damage from ion implantation.

As feature sizes for microelectronic devices and interconnects become smaller, the allowable defect rate decreases substantially. Some defects result from contaminant particles. Other defects can result from incomplete processing of certain regions of the wafer, e.g., failure to grow a film at the bottom of a trench.

Various annealing chambers have been used in the past. In single wafer processing equipment, these annealing chambers typically position the substrate between or on heating and cooling elements, to control the temperature profile of the substrate. However, achieving precise and repeatable temperature profiles, as well as an acceptable level of defects, can present engineering challenges.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the gas delivery system to introduce the processing gas into the first chamber, and to open the valve assembly to enable the substrate to be transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

The valve assembly may include a slit valve between the first chamber and the second chamber. The slit valve may include a slit through a wall between the first chamber and the second chamber, and an arm movable between a first position in which the arm covers the slit to form a seal between the first chamber and the second chamber and a second position in which the slit is uncovered. The substrate may be transferrable through the slit valve from the first chamber to the second chamber. The arm may be configured to engage an inner surface of the wall defining the first chamber in the first position to form the seal between the first chamber and the second chamber. An actuator may move the arm relative to the slit. The actuator may be coupled to a proximal end of the arm outside of the second chamber or within the second chamber. The arm may be configured to engage an outer surface of the first chamber in the first position to form the seal between the first chamber and the second chamber.

The pedestal may be fixed to walls defining the first chamber. Walls defining the first chamber may be movable relative to a base defining the first chamber to provide the valve assembly. The pedestal may be suspended from a ceiling of the first chamber.

The gas delivery system may include an exhaust system to exhaust gas within the first chamber, thereby depressurizing the first chamber. The controller may be configured to operate the exhaust system to depressurize the first chamber before the valve assembly is opened. A vacuum processing system may be configured to generate a pressure within the second chamber, the pressure being less than 1 atmosphere.

A heating element may be configured to apply heat to the substrate to anneal the substrate when the substrate is supported on the pedestal. The heating element may be positioned within the pedestal. The heating element may be positioned within walls defining the first chamber.

A robot arm may be configured to transfer the substrate through the valve assembly from the first chamber to the second chamber. A lift pin assembly may lift the substrate from the pedestal.

A semiconductor fabrication apparatus may include a central vacuum chamber having a robot positioned therein, a factory interface module coupled to the central vacuum chamber, a low-pressure substrate processing system coupled to the central vacuum chamber by a first vacuum valve, and the high-pressure processing system described above. The second chamber may be coupled to the central vacuum chamber by a second vacuum valve.

In another aspect, a semiconductor processing method includes introducing a processing gas into a first chamber to process a layer on a substrate and to generate a pressure of at least 10 atmospheres within the first chamber during processing of the layer, and transferring the substrate directly from the first chamber to a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure less than 1 atmosphere.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. After introducing the processing gas and before transferring the substrate, the processing gas may be exhausted from the first chamber to reduce the pressure within the first chamber. A slit valve between the first chamber and the second chamber may be opened before transferring the substrate. The substrate may be transferred to the second chamber through the slit valve. Opening the slit valve may include moving an arm from a first position in which the arm and the slit valve form a seal between the first chamber and the second chamber and a second position in which the slit valve is opened. Heat may be applied to the substrate to anneal the substrate after the processing gas is introduced. The substrate may include a silicon material.

Advantages of the foregoing may include, but are not limited to, those described below and herein elsewhere. A high-pressure processing system in accordance to certain aspects can improve thoroughness of processing, e.g., annealing or deposition, of a layer of material on a substrate. For example, by being annealed or deposited in a high pressure environment, the resulting material can more easily infiltrate into complex surface geometry, e.g., etched geometries, on the substrate. As a result, fewer defects may occur during the process.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a processing platform.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a high-pressure system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an example of a high-pressure processing system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of another example of a high-pressure processing system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of another example of a high-pressure processing system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of another example of a high-pressure processing system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a pedestal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, some defects can result from incomplete processing of certain regions of a substrate. However, high-pressure processing can improve consistency of processing across the substrate. In particular, annealing or deposition can occur in the high-pressure environment; this can help improve thoroughness of processing of the layer of material. As a result, the layer can be more uniformly formed or modified across the substrate. High-pressure processing can also provide access to chemical reactions that are not available at lower pressures.

Another issue is that certain materials, such as copper, will rapidly oxidize when exposed to oxygen, at temperatures over about 70° C. If the copper or other material oxidizes, the substrate may no longer be useable, or the oxide layer must first be removed before further processing. These are both unacceptable options for efficient manufacturing. Accordingly, a design factor is to isolate the substrate from oxygen, when the substrate temperature is over about 70° C. Since oxygen is of course present in ambient air, avoiding oxidation of copper during annealing also can present engineering challenges. As described herein, the substrate can be transferred between the high-pressure processing chamber and different processing chambers in the low-pressure, e.g., near-vacuum, environment to avoid contamination and oxidation of the substrate.

The temperature uniformity of the wafer is another significant design factor as it affects the crystalline structure of copper or other materials on the wafer. The processing system, e.g., the pedestal configuration, can provide uniform heating of the wafer.

Another consideration is serviceability. It is important to be able to recover or service a chamber as quickly and efficiently as possible. The chamber configurations described herein can be easy to service.

FIG. 1 shows an integrated multi-chamber substrate processing system suitable for performing at least one embodiment of the physical vapor deposition, the chemical vapor deposition, and/or annealing processes described herein. In general, the multi-chamber substrate processing system includes at least one high-pressure processing chamber, e.g., able to operate at pressures above 10 atmospheres, to perform a high-pressure process such as deposition or annealing, and at least one low-pressure processing chamber, e.g., able to operate a pressures below about 100 milliTorr, to perform a low-pressure process such as etching, deposition, or thermal treatment. In some implementations the multi-chamber processing system is a cluster tool having a central transfer chamber that is at low pressure and from which multiple processing chambers can be accessed.

Some embodiments of the processes and systems described herein relate to forming layers of material, e.g., metal and metal silicide barriers, for feature definitions. For example, a first metal layer is deposited on a silicon substrate and annealed to form a metal silicide layer. A second metal layer is then deposited on the metal silicide layer to fill the feature. The annealing process to form the metal silicide layer may be performed in multiple annealing steps.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of one embodiment a processing platform 100 including two transfer chambers 102, 104, transfer robots 106, 108 positioned in the transfer chambers 102, 104, respectfully, and processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, disposed on the two transfer chambers 102, 104. The first and second transfer chambers 102, 104 are central vacuum chambers that interface with adjacent processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118. The first transfer chamber 102 and the second transfer chamber 104 are separated by pass-through chambers 120, which may comprise cooldown or pre-heating chambers. The pass-through chambers 120 also may be pumped down or ventilated during substrate handling when the first transfer chamber 102 and the second transfer chamber 104 operate at different pressures. For example, the first transfer chamber 102 may operate between about 100 milliTorr and about 5 Torr, such as about 40 milliTorr, and the second transfer chamber 104 may operate between about 1×10−5 Torr and about 1×10−8 Torr, such as about 1×10−7 Torr.

The processing platform 100 is automated by programming a controller 122. The controller 122 can operate individual operations for each of the chambers of the processing platform 100 to process the substrate.

The first transfer chamber 102 is coupled with two degas chambers 124, two load lock chambers 128, a reactive pre-clean chamber 118, at least one physical vapor deposition chamber, preferably a long throw physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber 110, and the pass-through chambers 120. The pre-clean chamber may be a PreClean II chamber, commercially available from Applied Materials, of Santa Clara, Calif. Substrates (not shown) are loaded into the processing platform 100 through load lock chambers 128. For example, a factory interface module 132, if present, would be responsible for receiving one or more substrates, e.g., wafers, cassettes of wafers, or enclosed pods of wafers, from either a human operator or an automated substrate handling system. The factory interface module 132 can open the cassettes or pods of substrates, if applicable, and move the substrates to and from the load lock chambers 128. The processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 receive the substrates from the transfer chambers 102, 104, process the substrates, and allow the substrates to be transferred back into the transfer chambers 102, 104. After being loaded into the processing platform 100, the substrates are sequentially degassed and cleaned in degas chambers 124 and the pre-clean chamber 118, respectively.

Each of the processing chambers are isolated from the transfer chambers 102, 104 by an isolation valve which allows the processing chambers to operate at a different level of vacuum than the transfer chambers 102, 104 and prevents any gasses being used in the processing chamber from being introduced into the transfer chamber. The load lock chambers 128 are also isolated from the transfer chamber 102, 104 with isolation valves. Each load lock chamber 128 has a door which opens to the outside environment, e.g., opens to the factory interface module 132. In normal operation, a cassette loaded with substrates is placed into the load lock chamber 128 through the door from the factory interface module 132 and the door is closed. The load lock chamber 128 is then evacuated to the same pressure as the transfer chamber 102 and the isolation valve between the load lock chamber 128 and the transfer chamber 102 is opened. The robot in the transfer chamber 102 is moved into position and one substrate is removed from the load lock chamber 128. The load lock chamber 128 is preferably equipped with an elevator mechanism so as one substrate is removed from the cassette, the elevator moves the stack of wafers in the cassette to position another wafer in the transfer plane so that it can be positioned on the robot blade.

The transfer robot 106 in the transfer chamber 102 then rotates with the substrate so that the substrate is aligned with a processing chamber position. The processing chamber is flushed of any toxic gasses, brought to the same pressure level as the transfer chamber, and the isolation valve is opened. The transfer robot 106 then moves the wafer into the processing chamber where it is lifted off the robot. The transfer robot 106 is then retracted from the processing chamber and the isolation valve is closed. The processing chamber then goes through a series of operations to execute a specified process on the wafer. When complete, the processing chamber is brought back to the same environment as the transfer chamber 102 and the isolation valve is opened. The transfer robot 106 removes the wafer from the processing chamber and then either moves it to another processing chamber for another operation or replaces it in the load lock chamber 128 to be removed from the processing platform 100 when the entire cassette of wafers has been processed.

The transfer robots 106, 108 include robot arms 107, 109, respectively, that support and move the substrate between different processing chambers. The transfer robot 106 moves the substrate between the degas chambers 124 and the pre-clean chamber 118. The substrate may then be transferred to the long throw PVD chamber 110 for deposition of a material thereon.

The second transfer chamber 104 is coupled to a cluster of processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 130. The processing chambers 110, 112 may be chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers for depositing materials, such as tungsten, as desired by the operator. An example of a suitable CVD chamber includes WXZTM chambers, commercially available from Applied Materials, Inc., located in Santa Clara, Calif. The CVD chambers are preferably adapted to deposit materials by atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques as well as by conventional chemical vapor deposition techniques. The processing chambers 114 and 130 may be Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) chambers, or Rapid Thermal Process (RTP) chambers, that can anneal substrates at vacuum or near vacuum pressures. An example of a RTA chamber 114 is a RADIANCE™ chamber, commercially available from Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif. Alternatively, the processing chambers 114 and 130 may be W×Z™ deposition chambers capable of performing high temperature CVD deposition, annealing processes, or in situ deposition and annealing processes. The PVD processed substrates are moved from the first transfer chamber 102 into the second transfer chamber 104 via the pass-through chambers 120.

Thereafter, the transfer robot 108 moves the substrates between one or more of the processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 130 for material deposition and annealing as required for processing.

RTA chambers (not shown) may also be disposed on the first transfer chamber 102 of the processing platform 100 to provide post deposition annealing processes prior to substrate removal from the platform 100 or transfer to the second transfer chamber 104.

While not shown, a plurality of vacuum pumps is disposed in fluid communication with each transfer chamber and each of the processing chambers to independently regulate pressures in the respective chambers. The pumps may establish a vacuum gradient of increasing pressure across the apparatus from the load lock chamber to the processing chambers. Alternatively or in addition, a plasma etch chamber, such as a Decoupled Plasma Source chamber (DPSTM chamber) manufactured by Applied Materials, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., may be coupled to the processing platform 100 or in a separate processing system for etching the substrate surface to remove unreacted metal after PVD metal deposition and/or annealing of the deposited metal. For example, in forming cobalt silicide from cobalt and silicon material by an annealing process, the etch chamber may be used to remove unreacted cobalt material from the substrate surface.

Other etch processes and apparatus, such as a wet etch chamber, can be used in conjunction with the process and apparatus described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a controlled high-pressure system 200 that creates a high-pressure environment for processing a substrate and a low-pressure environment for the substrate when the substrate is being transferred between processing chambers. The controlled high-pressure system 200 includes a first high-pressure chamber 202 and a second vacuum chamber 204. The first chamber 202 can correspond to one of the processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 130 of the processing platform 100, and the second chamber 204 can correspond to one of the transfer chambers 102, 104 of the processing platform 100. Alternatively, in some implementations, one of the processing chambers 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 130 includes both the first chamber 202 and the second chamber 204. The first chamber 202 corresponds to an inner chamber, and the second chamber 204 corresponds to an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber.

The pressure within the first chamber 202 can be controlled independently of the pressure in the second chamber 204. If the first and second chambers 202, 204 are distinct from the transfer chambers, the first and second chambers 202, 204 can have pressures that are controlled independently of the pressures within the transfer chambers. The controlled high-pressure system 200 further includes a gas delivery system 206, a vacuum processing system 208, and a controller 210. In some examples, the controller 122 of the processing platform 100 can include the controller 210.

The second chamber 204 is a low pressure chamber adjacent to the first chamber 202. In some implementations, the second chamber 204 also surrounds the first chamber 202. The second chamber 204 can correspond to a transfer chamber, e.g., the transfer chamber 102 or the transfer chamber 104, that receives the substrate between different processing chambers. The low pressure environment of the second chamber 204 can inhibit contamination and/or oxidation of the substrate or the material formed on the substrate.

The gas delivery system 206 is operated to pressurize and depressurize the first chamber 202. The first chamber 202 is a high-pressure processing chamber that receives a processing gas from the gas delivery system 206 and establishes a high pressure, e.g., at a pressure of at least 10 atmospheres. The processing gas can interact with the layer being processed so as to anneal the layer, e.g., by modifying the layer or reacting with the material to form a new layer. The processing gas can include hydrogen, e.g., the processing gas can be hydrogen gas H₂. Alternatively, the processing gas can be a precursor gas that serves as a source for the material to be formed on the substrate, e.g., for a deposition process. To pressurize the first chamber 202, the gas delivery system 206 introduces the processing gas into the first chamber 202. In some cases, the gas delivery system 206 can also introduce steam into the first chamber 202 to increase the pressure within the first chamber 202.

The gas delivery system 206 can include an exhaust system 211 to exhaust the processing gas from the first chamber 202, thereby depressurizing the first chamber 302. The vacuum processing system 208 is operated to control the pressure of the second chamber 204 to be at a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure, e.g., less than 1 milliTorr. For example, the vacuum processing system 208 lowers a pressure within the second chamber 204 to near vacuum, thereby creating the appropriate low pressure environment for transfer of the substrate.

A valve assembly 212 between the first chamber 202 and the second chamber 204 isolates the pressure within the first chamber 202 from the pressure within the second chamber 204. The high-pressure environment within the first chamber 202 can thus be separated and sealed from the low pressure environment within the second chamber 204. The valve assembly 212 is openable to enable the substrate to be transferred from the first chamber 202 directly into the second chamber 204 or to enable the substrate to be transferred from the second chamber 204 directly into the first chamber 202.

In some implementations, the high-pressure system 200 includes a foreline 214 connected to a transfer chamber, e.g., one of the transfer chambers 102, 104, and connected to an outside environment. An isolation valve 216 is arranged along the foreline 214 to isolate the pressure within the second chamber 204 from the pressure of the outside environment. The isolation valve 216 can be operated to adjust the pressure within the second chamber 204 and to release gases within the second chamber 204. The isolation valve 216 can be operated in conjunction with the vacuum processing system 208 to regulate the pressure within the second chamber 204.

FIGS. 3-6 depict various embodiments of high-pressure processing systems for processing a layer on a substrate. The pressure of chambers of these high-pressure processing systems can be controlled using systems similar to those described with respect to FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, a high-pressure processing system 300 includes a first chamber 302, a pedestal 304, a second chamber 306, and a controller (e.g., the controller 122). The high-pressure processing system 300 further includes a vacuum processing system (not shown) similar to the vacuum processing system 208 and a gas delivery system 307 similar to the gas delivery system 206 described with respect to FIG. 2. For example, the gas delivery system 307 includes an input line 307 a and an exhaust line 307 b. The processing gas is introduced into the first chamber 302 through the input line 307 a, and the processing gas is exhausted from the first chamber 302 through the exhaust line 307 b.

The pedestal 304 supports a substrate 314 on which a layer of material is to be processed, e.g., annealed or deposited. The pedestal 304 is positioned or positionable within the first chamber 302. In some implementations, the substrate 314 sits directly on a flat top surface of the pedestal. In some implementations, the substrate 314 sits on pins 330 that project from the pedestal.

The high-pressure processing system 300 includes an inner wall 320, a base 322, and an outer wall 324. The first chamber 302 is provided by a volume within the inner wall 320, e.g., between the inner wall 320 and the base 322. The second chamber 304 is provide by a volume outside the inner wall 320, e.g., between the inner wall 320 and the outer wall 324.

The high-pressure processing system 300 further includes a valve assembly 316 between the first chamber 302 and the second chamber 306 that provides the functionality of the valve assembly 212 of FIG. 2, i.e., it can be operated to isolate the first chamber 302 from the second chamber 306. For example, the valve assembly 316 includes the inner wall 320, the base 322, and an actuator 323 to move the base 322 relative to the inner wall 320. The actuator 323 can be controlled to drive the base 322 to move vertically, e.g., away from or toward the walls 320 defining the first chamber 302. A bellows 328 can be used to seal the second chamber 306 from the external atmosphere while permitting the base 322 to move vertically. The bellows 328 can extend from a bottom of the base 322 to a floor of the second chamber 306 formed by the outer wall 324.

When the valve assembly 316 is in a closed position, the base 322 contacts the walls 320 such that a seal is formed between the base 322 and the walls 320, thus separating the outer chamber 306 from the inner chamber 302. The actuator 323 is operated to drive the base 322 toward the inner walls 320 with sufficient force to form the seal. The seal inhibits air from the first high-pressure chamber 302 from being exhausted into the low-pressure second chamber 306.

When the valve assembly 316 is in an open position, the base 322 is spaced apart from the walls 320, thereby allowing air to be conducted between the first and second chambers 302, 306 and also allowing the substrate 314 to be accessed and transferred to another chamber.

Because the pedestal 304 is supported on the base 322, the pedestal 304 is thus also movable relative to the inner walls 320. The pedestal 304 can be moved to enable the substrate 314 to be more easily accessible by the transfer robot. For example, an arm of a transfer robot 106 or 108 (see FIG. 1) can extend through an aperture 326 in the outer wall 324. When the valve assembly 316 is in the open position, the robot arm can pass through the gap between the inner wall 320 and the base 322 to access the substrate 314.

In some implementations, the high-pressure processing system 300 includes one or more heating elements 318 configured to apply heat to the substrate 314. The heat from the heating elements 318 can be sufficient to anneal the substrate 314 when the substrate 314 is supported on the pedestal 304 and the processing gas (if used) has been introduced into the first chamber 302. The heating elements 318 may be resistive heating elements. The one or more heating elements 318 may be positioned in, e.g., embedded in, the inner walls 320 defining the first chamber 302, e.g., in a ceiling of the first chamber 302 provided by the inner walls 320. This heats the inner wall 320, causing radiative heat to reach the substrate 314. The substrate 314 can be held by the pedestal 304 in close proximity, e.g., 2-10 mm, to the ceiling to improve transmission of heat from the inner wall 320 to the substrate 314.

However, the one or more heating elements 318 may be arranged in other locations within the high-pressure processing system 300, e.g., within the side walls rather than the ceiling. An example of a heating element 318 includes a discrete heating coil. Instead of or in addition to a heater embedded in the inner wall, a radiative heater, e.g., an infrared lamp, can be positioned outside the first chamber 302 and direct infrared radiation through a window in the inner wall 320. Electrical wires connect an electrical source (not shown), such as a voltage source, to the heating element, and can connect the one or more heating elements 318 to the controller.

The controller is operably connected to the vacuum processing system, the gas delivery system 307, and the valve assembly 316 for controlling operations to process, e.g., anneal or deposit, the layer of material on the substrate 314. In some implementations, the controller may also be operably connected to other systems. For example, the controller can also be operably connected to one or more of the transfer robots 106, 108, the one or more heating elements 318, and/or the actuator 323. In some cases, the controller 122 shown in FIG. 1 includes the controller of the high-pressure processing system 300.

In processing a layer of material on the substrate 314, the controller can operate the vacuum processing system to depressurize the second chamber 306 to a low-pressure state, e.g., to a state in which the second chamber 306 has a pressure less than 1 atmosphere, to prepare for transfer of the substrate 314 through the second chamber 306. The low-pressure state can be a near-vacuum state, e.g., a pressure less than 1 milliTorr. The substrate 314 is moved through the second chamber 306 by a transfer robot, e.g., one of the transfer robots 106, 108, while the second chamber 306 is at the low-pressure so that contamination and oxidation of the substrate 314 can be inhibited. The double walls can help ensure safer processing, e.g., annealing.

The substrate 314 is transferred into the first chamber 302 for processing. To transfer the substrate 314 into the first chamber 302, the controller can operate the valve assembly 316, e.g., open the valve assembly 316 to provide an opening through which the substrate 314 can be transferred into the first chamber 302. The controller can operate the transfer robot to carry the substrate 314 into the first chamber 302 and to place the substrate 314 on the pedestal 304.

After the substrate 314 is transferred into the first chamber 302, the controller can operate the valve assembly 316 to close the opening, e.g., close the valve assembly 316, thereby isolating the first and second chambers 302, 306 from one another. With the valve assembly 316 closed, pressures in the first chamber 302 and the second chamber 306 can be set to different values. The controller can operate the gas delivery system 307 to introduce the processing gas into the first chamber 302 to pressurize the first chamber 302 and to form the layer of material onto the substrate 314. The introduction of the processing gas can increase the pressure within the first chamber 302 to, for example, 10 atmospheres or more.

In some implementations, the processing gas interacts with the material on the substrate as to anneal the material, e.g., by modifying the layer or reacting with the material to form a new layer. Alternatively, the processing gas can include the material to be deposited onto the substrate 314, and the proper temperature and pressure conditions in the first chamber 302 can cause the deposition of the material to occur. During the processing of the substrate, the controller can operate the one or more heating elements 318 to add heat to the substrate 314 to facilitate deposition of the layer of material on the substrate 314.

When modification or formation of the layer of material on the substrate 314 is complete, the substrate 314 can be removed from the first chamber 302 using the transfer robot and, if necessary, transferred to a subsequent process chamber. Alternatively, the substrate 314 is transferred into a load lock chamber, e.g., one of the load lock chambers 128. To prepare for transfer of the substrate 314 out of the first chamber 302, the controller can operate the exhaust system of the gas delivery system 307 to depressurize the first chamber 302 before the valve assembly 316 is opened. In particular, before the substrate 314 is transferred out of the first chamber 202, the processing gas is exhausted from the first chamber 302 to reduce the pressure within the first chamber 202. The pressure can be reduced to a near-vacuum pressure such that the pressure differential between the first chamber 302 and the second chamber 306 can be minimized.

To enable the substrate 314 to be transferred out of the first chamber 302, the controller can open the valve assembly 316. The opened valve assembly 316 provides an opening through which the substrate 314 is moved to be transferred into the second chamber 306. In particular, the opened valve assembly 316 enables the substrate 314 to be transferred directly into the second chamber 306, e.g., into the low pressure environment of the second chamber 306. The controller can then operate the transfer robot to transfer the substrate 314 to another portion of a processing platform, e.g., the processing platform 100. For example, the substrate 314 is first transferred directly into the second chamber 306 and then is transferred to the appropriate processing chamber for further processing or to the load lock chamber to remove the substrate from the processing platform.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, a high-pressure processing system 400 includes a first chamber 402, a pedestal 404, a second chamber 406, and a controller (not shown). The high-pressure processing system 400 is similar to the high-pressure processing system 300 described with respect to FIG. 3; unless otherwise specified the various options and implementations are also applicable to this embodiment.

For example, the gas delivery system and the vacuum processing system of the high-pressure processing system 400 are operated in a similar manner to maintain the low and high pressure environments for a substrate 414 processed using the high-pressure processing system 400. The second chamber 406 can be defined by volume between inner walls 420 and outer walls 424. In addition, the substrate 414 is also supportable on the pedestal 404 for processing within the first chamber 402. Again, the substrate can sit directly on the pedestal 404, or sit on lift pins 430 that extend through the pedestal.

The high-pressure processing system 400 differs from the high-pressure processing system 300 of FIG. 3 in a few regards. First, inner walls 420 defining the first chamber 402 are not movable relative to a base 422 defining the first chamber 402. The pedestal 404 is thus fixed relative to the inner walls 420 and the base 422. In some examples, the pedestal 404 is fixed to the base 422 defining the first chamber 402.

Rather than being arranged in the walls 420 of the first chamber 402, as is the case for the one or more heating elements 318 of the embodiment of FIG. 3, one or more heating elements 418 of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 are arranged within the pedestal 404. The substrate 414 is thus heated through contact with the pedestal 404.

The high-pressure processing system 400 further includes a valve assembly 416 between the first chamber 402 and the second chamber 406 that, similar to the valve assembly 316 of FIG. 3, isolates the first chamber 402 from the second chamber 406. However, in contrast to the valve assembly 316, the valve assembly 416 is not formed by the walls 420 and the base 422 defining the first chamber 402, but rather is formed by an arm 424 movable relative to the inner walls 420 and the base 422 of the first chamber 402. The arm 424 can movable relative to the outer walls 420 and the base 422 of the first chamber 402.

In particular, the valve assembly 416 includes a slit valve 423 between the first chamber 402 and the second chamber 406. The slit valve 423 includes a slit 423 a and the arm 424. The slit 423 a extends through one of the inner walls 420 of the first chamber 402. A proximal end 424 a of the arm 424 is positioned outside of the first chamber 402 while a distal end 424 b of the arm 424 is positioned within the first chamber 402. The proximal end 425 a of the arm 425 can be positioned within the second chamber 406 and be driven by an actuator positioned within the second chamber 406. Alternatively, the proximal end 425 a of the arm 425 is positioned outside of the second chamber 406 and is thus driven by an actuator 428 that is also positioned outside of the second chamber 406.

The arm 425 extends through the slit 423 a and is movable relative to the walls 420 so that the arm 425 can be moved to a position in which it forms a seal with the walls 420. The actuator 428 is coupled to the proximal end 425 a of the arm 425 and drives the distal end 425 b of the arm 425 relative to the walls 420. The arm 425 is also movable vertically to cover or uncover the slit 423 a. In particular, the proximal end 425 a of the arm 425 can be or include a flange that extends substantially parallel to the adjacent inner surface of the inner wall 420. The arm 425 is also movable and driven laterally so that the distal end 425 b of the arm 425 can engage or disengage the wall 420.

The arm 425 can also extend through an aperture 426 in the outer wall 424.

Like the valve assembly 316, the valve assembly 416 is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the valve assembly 416 is in the closed position, the distal end 425 b of the arm 425 covers the slit 426 and contacts one of the walls 420, thereby forming the seal to isolate the first chamber 402 from the second chamber 406. In particular, the distal end 425 b of the arm 425, e.g., the flange, contacts an inner surface of the wall 420 defining the first chamber 402.

When the valve assembly 416 is in the open position, the distal end 425 b of the arm 425 is spaced laterally apart from the wall 420, e.g., the inner surface of the wall 420. In addition, the distal end 425 b of the arm 425 is positioned vertically so that the slit 426 is uncovered. The slit 426 thus provides an opening that enables fluidic communication between the first chamber 402 and the second chamber 406 and that also enables the substrate 414 to be moved in and out of the first chamber 402, e.g., by a robot as discussed above.

The controller can operate the high-pressure processing system 400 in a manner similar to the process described with respect to the controller of the high-pressure processing system 300 to transfer the substrate 414 into and out of the first chamber 402 and to form the layer of material on the substrate 414. In this process, to open and close the valve assembly 416, the controller can operate the actuator 428 to drive the arm 425.

An advantage of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is that the pressure within the first chamber 402 helps force the distal end 425 of the arm 425 against the inner surface of the inner wall 420. Consequently, in contrast to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the actuator can be less powerful.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a further embodiment, a high-pressure processing system 500 includes a first chamber 502, a pedestal 504, a second chamber 506, and a controller (not shown). The high-pressure processing system 500 is similar to the high-pressure processing system 400 described with respect to FIG. 4; unless otherwise specified the various options and implementations are also applicable to this embodiment.

For example, the gas delivery system and the vacuum processing system of the high-pressure processing system 500 are operated in a similar manner to maintain the low and high pressure environments for a substrate (not shown) processed using the high-pressure processing system 500. In addition, the substrate is also supportable on the pedestal 504 or lift pins for processing within the first chamber 502.

The high-pressure processing system 500 differs from the high-pressure processing system 400 of FIG. 4 in that the pedestal 504 is mounted to a ceiling 521 defining the first chamber 502 rather than to a base 522 defining the first chamber 502. Like the pedestal 504, the pedestal 504 is fixed relative to the walls 520, the ceiling 521, and the base 522. In addition, one or more heating elements 518 of the high-pressure processing system 500 are arranged within the pedestal 504. To position the substrate on the pedestal 504 such that the substrate is supported on the pedestal 504, the substrate is inserted between plates of the pedestal 504. The one or more heating elements 518 are arranged relative to the plates such that, when the substrate is inserted into a slot defined by the plates of the pedestal 504, the one or more heating elements 518 can uniformly apply heat to the substrate.

An advantage of the configuration of FIG. 5 is that the inner chamber 502 is more easily accessed for maintenance or repair. In particularly, to access the pedestal 504, a top lid 528 of the outer wall 526 can be removed. Then the ceiling 521 and pedestal 504 can be removed as a unit.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a further embodiment, a high-pressure processing system 600 includes a first chamber 602, a pedestal 604, a second chamber 606, and a controller (not shown). The high-pressure processing system 600 is similar to the high-pressure processing system 400 described with respect to FIG. 4; unless otherwise specified the various options and implementations are also applicable to this embodiment.

For example, the gas delivery system and the vacuum processing system of the high-pressure processing system 600 are operated in a similar manner to maintain the low and high pressure environments for a substrate 614 processed using the high-pressure processing system 600. In addition, the substrate 614 is also supportable on the pedestal 604 for processing within the first chamber 602.

The high-pressure processing system 600 differs from the high-pressure processing system 400 of FIG. 4 in that an arm 625 of a valve assembly 616 of the high-pressure processing system 400 contacts an outer surface of an inner wall 620 defining the first chamber 602, rather than an inner surface of the inner wall 620, to cover an aperture 623 a in the inner wall 620. Like the valve assembly 416, the valve assembly 616 operates to isolate the first chamber 602 from the second chamber 606. The valve assembly 616 can be positioned between the first chamber 602 and the second chamber 606.

The valve assembly 616 includes a slit valve 623 between the first chamber 602 and the second chamber 606. The slit valve 623 includes an aperture 623 a, e.g., a slit, and the arm 625. The slit 623 a extends through one of the inner walls 620 that provide the first chamber 602. A proximal end 625 a of the arm 625 is positioned outside of the first chamber 602. Rather than being positioned within the first chamber 602 as is the case for the arm 425, a distal end 625 b of the arm 625 is positioned outside of the first chamber 602. Thus, the arm 625 does not extend through the slit 626.

The arm 625 is movable relative to the walls 620 so that the arm 625 can be moved to a position in which it forms a seal with the walls 620. For example, the high-pressure processing system 600 includes an actuator 628 operable to drive the arm 625. The actuator 628 is coupled to the proximal end 625 a of the arm 625 and is driven to move the distal end 625 b of the arm 625 relative to the walls 620.

Like the valve assembly 316, the valve assembly 616 is movable between an open position and a closed position. For example, when the valve assembly 616 is in the closed position, the distal end 625 b of the arm 625 contacts one of the walls 620, thereby forming the seal to isolate the high pressure in the first chamber 602 from the low pressure in the second chamber 606. In particular, the distal end 625 b of the arm 625 contacts an outer surface of the wall 620 defining the first chamber 602 and is positioned to cover the slit 626.

When the valve assembly 616 is in the open position, the distal end 625 b of the arm 625 does not contact the wall 620, e.g., the inner surface of the wall 620. The aperture 626 thus provides an opening that enables fluidic communication between the first chamber 602 and the second chamber 606 and that also enables the substrate 614 to be moved in and out of the first chamber 602.

The controller can operate the high-pressure processing system 600 in a manner similar to the process described with respect to the controller of the high-pressure processing system 300 to transfer the substrate 614 and to form the layer of material on the substrate 614. In this process, to open and close the valve assembly 616, the controller can operate the actuator 628 to drive the arm 625.

An advantage of the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is that the aperture 626 is relatively small, e.g., as compared to the base 322 in the configuration shown in FIG. 3. As such, when high pressure is established in the first chamber 602, less force is needed to hold the valve in the closed position. Consequently, in contrast to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the actuator can be less powerful.

FIG. 7 illustrate a pedestal 700 with heating elements in accordance to certain embodiments. The pedestal 700 can, for example, correspond to one of the pedestals 404, 504, 604. The pedestal 700 includes a lift pin assembly 702 having a lift pin 704, which is disposed at least partially in an opening 706 defined in plates 708, 710. The lift pin 704 is used to lift the substrate from the pedestal 700 such that a transfer robot, e.g., one of the transfer robots 106, 108, can access and move the substrate out of a chamber, e.g., the first chamber 202, 302, 402, 502, or 602. The lift pin 704 is driven by an actuator 705 from a first position in which the lift pin 704 is recessed within the pedestal 700 to a second position in which the lift pin 704 protrudes from the pedestal 700. In the second position, the lift pin 704 supports a substrate on the pedestal 700 above the pedestal, thereby providing sufficient height above the pedestal 700 for the transfer robot to grasp the substrate.

Controllers and computing devices can implement these operations and other processes and operations described herein. A controller, e.g., the controller 122, 210 or one of the controllers of the high-pressure processing systems 300, 400, 500, or 600, can include one or more processing devices connected to the various components, systems, and subsystems of the high pressure systems described herein.

The controller and other computing devices part of systems described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware. For example, the controller can include a processor to execute a computer program as stored in a computer program product, e.g., in a non-transitory machine readable storage medium. Such a computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

While this document contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example:

-   -   The processing system can be used for metal annealing, e.g.,         annealing of copper or cobalt. For such an annealing process,         the processing gas can be hydrogen gas (H₂) or deuterium gas         (D₂).     -   The processing system can be used for annealing of silicon         dioxide (SiO₂). For such an annealing process, the processing         gas can be water vapor or steam.     -   The processing system can be used for annealing of         silicon-germanium material For such an annealing process, the         processing gas can be deuterium gas (D2).     -   While formation of a metal silicide layer from a cobalt or         nickel layer film is described above, in some implementations,         other materials can be used. For example, other materials can         include titanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, platinum,         iron, niobium, palladium, and combinations thereof, and other         alloys including nickel cobalt alloys, cobalt tungsten alloys,         cobalt nickel tungsten alloys, doped cobalt and nickel alloys,         or nickel iron alloys, to form a metal silicide material.     -   Although described above in the context of a system for forming         a layer, depending on the gasses provided, the high-pressure         chamber can be used for etching system. Alternatively, the         high-pressure chamber can be filled with an inert gas, and the         high-pressure chamber can be used purely for heat treatment at         high pressure.     -   The processing platforms described herein can include other         types of processing chambers. For example, a processing platform         can include an etching chamber to etch patterns onto a surface         of a substrate.     -   Each of the different chambers of a processing platform can have         varying pressure environments, ranging from near-vacuum to more         than 10 atmospheres. The isolation valves, e.g., vacuum valves,         between the chambers can isolate the pressures from one another         such that these varying pressure environments can be maintained         within each chamber.     -   In some situations, e.g., where a film that does not need to be         isolated from the atmosphere is formed, the high-pressure         processing system illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 could be a         stand-alone system rather than integrated into a multi-chamber         system. In this case, the low-pressure chamber would still be         useful for isolating the high-pressure chamber from the external         environment, e.g., in the case of leaks.

Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A high-pressure processing system for processing a layer on a substrate, the system comprising: a first chamber; a pedestal to support the substrate, the pedestal being positioned within the first chamber; a second chamber adjacent the first chamber; a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum; a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber; a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber; and a controller configured to operate the gas delivery system to introduce the processing gas into the first chamber to process the layer on the substrate, and open the valve assembly to enable the substrate to be transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pedestal is fixed to walls defining the first chamber.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises a slit valve between the first chamber and the second chamber.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the slit valve comprises a slit through a wall between the first chamber and the second chamber, and an arm movable between a first position in which the arm covers the slit to form a seal between the first chamber and the second chamber and a second position in which the slit is uncovered and the substrate is transferrable through the slit valve from the first chamber to the second chamber.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the arm is configured to engage an inner surface of the wall defining the first chamber in the first position to form the seal between the first chamber and the second chamber.
 6. The system of claim 4, further comprising an actuator to move the arm relative to the slit, the actuator being coupled to a proximal end of the arm outside of the second chamber.
 7. The system of claim 4, further comprising an actuator to move the arm relative to the slit, the actuator being coupled to a proximal end of the arm within the second chamber.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein the arm is configured to engage an outer surface of the first chamber in the first position to form the seal between the first chamber and the second chamber.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein walls defining the first chamber are movable relative to a base defining the first chamber to provide the valve assembly.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas delivery system comprises an exhaust system to exhaust gas within the first chamber, thereby depressurizing the first chamber, wherein the controller is configured to operate the exhaust system to depressurize the first chamber before the valve assembly is opened.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum processing system configured to generate a pressure within the second chamber, the pressure being less than 1 atmosphere.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heating element configured to apply heat to the substrate to anneal the substrate when the substrate is supported on the pedestal.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating element is positioned within the pedestal.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating element is positioned within walls defining the first chamber.
 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a robot arm configured to transfer the substrate through the valve assembly from the first chamber to the second chamber.
 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lift pin assembly to lift the substrate from the pedestal.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the pedestal is suspended from a ceiling of the first chamber.
 18. A semiconductor fabrication apparatus, comprising: a central vacuum chamber having a robot positioned therein; a factory interface module coupled to the central vacuum chamber; a low-pressure processing chamber coupled to the central vacuum chamber by a first vacuum valve; the high-pressure processing system of claim 1, wherein the second chamber is coupled to the central vacuum chamber by a second vacuum valve.
 19. A method comprising: introducing a gas into a first chamber to form a layer on a substrate and to generate a pressure of at least 10 atmospheres within the first chamber during formation of the layer; and transferring the substrate directly from the first chamber to a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure less than 1 atmosphere.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, after introducing the processing gas and before transferring the substrate, exhausting the processing gas from the first chamber to reduce the pressure within the first chamber.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising opening a slit valve between the first chamber and the second chamber before transferring the substrate, wherein the substrate is transferred to the second chamber through the slit valve.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein opening the slit valve comprises moving an arm from a first position in which the arm and the slit valve form a seal between the first chamber and the second chamber and a second position in which the slit valve is opened.
 23. The method of claim 19, further comprising applying heat to the substrate to anneal the substrate after the processing gas is introduced.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the substrate comprises a silicon material. 